It's The Next Big Thing In Lock Repair

How to Do Your Own Lock Repair If your locks start to fail, you can try to repair them yourself or hire an expert locksmith. Repairing locks can be difficult and a wrong choice could result in further damage. You must first determine if the issue is caused by dust or dirt. This is usually solved by applying some graphite spray or silicone based lubricant. 1. Door Handle or Knob Loose Over time, door knobs and handles could become loose. This could result in a jiggly knob or handle that is difficult for you to open. Knobs that are loose in the door aren't just annoying but they can compromise your building's security, making it essential to identify and fix the problem quickly. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is relatively simple to fix. There are several ways to do this, dependent on the type of lock your door comes with. Certain lock systems have easily accessible mounting screws, while others use backplates that hide the screws. This method is more complex when your door has a backplate that hides the screws. The majority of doorknobs for interior use are designed to slip over a cylindrical spindle, which is mounted in the door as part of the latch assembly. If yours is jiggly, it could be due to tiny screws, referred to as a set screw, located on the inside of the doorknob, which is stopping it from sliding over the spindle. You can make use of a flashlight to locate the set screw and then tighten it with an Allen wrench. Once it's tightened up, turn the knob to see if it no longer feels as jiggly. If the knob is moving, it could be because the set screw isn't placed correctly. To ensure that the screw is positioned correctly you should look for a small, corresponding button on the spindle. Press the button using a flathead screwdriver, and then slide the knob over the spindle. As you do so the knob should click into place and show that it is positioned properly on the spindle. Once you have ensured that the set screw is positioned correctly then tighten it a second time to secure the knob. If this doesn't solve the issue, you may have to remove the knob from the backplate and look for loose or missing screws. You'll need to replace the screws if this is the situation before you can reinstall the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this kind of repair, contact an expert who specializes in damaged lock repair. 2. The key won't turn inside the lock There are several reasons why the lock key might stop turning. One of the most common reasons is that the pins in the cylinder are worn out. This means that they no longer have the proper shape to allow the sliders or wafers to move by the key. In this situation the best solution is to spray the lock with graphite or lubricant based on silicone to coat the pins and help them to move once more. If the problem is more severe, and the key has bent or twisted, you may need to get it straightened by a professional. A professional locksmith will employ an instrument that is specially designed with a curved edge to fit into the groove on the tip of the key. This kind of tool isn't readily available at hardware stores, however you can purchase a kit that includes the proper tools online or in an establishment that sells locksmith tools. A dirty or contaminated lock is another possibility. Over time, dust may build up in the lock's cylinder, which can cause the springs and pins to swell up. In this case you'll need spray the lock with graphite spray or a lubricant made of silicone to remove it and then reposition the pins back to their original position. It could also be a problem if the key has been damaged. In time, repeated use can cause wear and tear on the grooves of a key. This can result in the key not to fit into the cylinder. It is important to regularly check to make sure that the key is fitted correctly. Locks can freeze in the winter months. This can stop the pins and springs from moving when keys are inserted. This can be a nagging issue, but it is usually quite simple to solve by warming up the lock with hot water and using a lubricant to re-lubricate it. If the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it may need to be replaced by an expert. 3. The Lock Isn't Turning If you've had a lock that doesn't turn and can't be opened it can be incredibly frustrating. If it happens often, you may want to consider contacting a locksmith to come examine the lock and see if they can assist. Fortunately, replacement upvc window locks isn't required as there are things that can be fixed without the need for professional assistance. Often the key won't turn in a lock due to it is damaged. You may experience this if you have lost your key, or it has been damaged inside the lock. Instead of trying to fish the key out of the lock, which could result in it being pushed deeper into the mechanism and make it worse, use needle-nosedpliers to remove the key from the lock. Be careful not to damage the lock by cutting off any piece of the damaged key with the pliers. It's also possible that your lock isn't aligned correctly which could cause the door to not latch properly. If you have an extra lock key, you may test it to make sure that the lock functions properly. If you do discover that the lock is not aligned correctly, tightening the screws around the strike plate can solve the issue and allow the lock to work normally. Another reason your key may not be turning is because there is dust or dirt inside the lock that is blocking it from moving. Using graphite sprays or a silicone-based lubricant can solve this problem by coating the pins in the lock so that they are able to move up and down in a normal manner. It is important to avoid using oils-based products such as WD-40 to solve this problem, however, since they could cause more obstructions later on. It is important to remember that some keys simply won't fit into all locks. If your key is one of these, it might be time to purchase a replacement key made at a local hardware store, so that it will work inside the lock. 4. The Cylinder Is Rotating When a cylinder is rotated within a confinement gap it may cause hairpin vortices to form which can lead to significant forces on the cylinder. These forces are proportional the curvature radius that is dimensionless x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model described here predicts the effect of these parameters on the force and torque on a confined rotating cylinder. The head, tube and main body of the cylinder are constructed of aluminum alloy. If you are able insert your key and turn it, but the lock does not rotate, the cylinder may be defective. Rekeying your lock could solve the problem. You can purchase kits to do this online or in most big box stores.